This series includes high quality diecast models of modern and historical aircraft. Each item is recreated with lifelike details and is true to scale. Titles include many of today’s most popular commercial airlines and both modern and historic military aircraft.

The famous Bell X-1 was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight. Its development started in 1945, and it was inspired by the shape of a Browning .50-cal machine gun round. Indeed, the Bell X-1 was essentially a bullet with wings, propelled by a four-chamber rocket engine. The first supersonic test flight occurred on 14 October 1947. After two Bell X-1 craft were destroyed by separate explosions in 1951, X-1E (with serial number 46-063) was reconstructed from X-1-2. Major modifications specific to the X-1E were a turbopump fuel feed system, a super-thin wing and a “knife-edge” cockpit windscreen. The X-1E performed its maiden flight on 15 December 1955 with test pilot Joe Walker at the controls. By the time the craft completed its 26th and final flight it had attained a top speed of Mach 2.21, which equates to 2,704km/h!

Warbirds has added the X-1E to its 1/144 scale range of collectible aircraft. Dragon has released X-1 models before, but this model depicts the X-1E on its test flight in December 1955. Furthermore, there isn’t just one aircraft, but the set offers two complete models. One is a regular depiction of the X-1E while the other features Dragon’s exciting concept of a transparent fuselage that allows viewing of the experimental plane’s internal configuration. The two X-1Es can sit side by side on the sleek display stand that comes with the set. In this scale these two planes are not large, but they do reveal all about the Bell X-1E!